chivalry used in Moby Dick

the medieval principles governing knighthood and knightly conduct such as honor, kindness, bravery, and protection of the weak

or:

courtesy — especially of men towards women

In that fine, loose, chivalrous attitude of the headsman when drawing near to his prey, the three mates stood up proudly, occasionally backing the after oarsman with an exhilarating cry of, "There she slides, now!